Late goal denies Queens vital win

Feb 16 2012 By

QUEENS had to settle for a point in the relegation dog fight against Ayr United at Somerset on Saturday.

Ayr United 1 Queen of the South 1

Scott McLaughlin looked to have secured a vital three points for the Palmerston men with 15 minutes to go when he fired in his seventh goal of the season.

But the Doonhamers were left dejected when Michael Moffat struck in the 85th minute to see Brian Reid's side take a share of the points.

As the battle for first division survival hots up, Queens manager Gus MacPherson believes the reaction of his players at the end of the game says a lot about their character.

He said: "We knew it was going to be difficult and we had stressed the importance of the game.

"You could see the elation when they took the lead, they celebrated knowing how vital the goal could be.

"But then Ayr got the equaliser and we could see the disappointment in the dressing room after the game.

"For me that speaks volumes of the players, that they're not content picking up a point, they are frustrated they only got the one."

The boss himself appeared a bit more content but was left frustrated that his side didn't take three points.

He added: "When you take the lead away from home in such a tight game, you have got to be disappointed if you don't keep a clean sheet and take maximum points.

"But Ayr were taking chances, they threw their attackers on and still kept Mark Roberts in a deeper area and we've been caught with his sublime skill and the pass he makes.

"It's frustrating we've not seen the game out.

"You can see from the way we set up that we were trying to be as positive as we could.

"It was an evenly matched game.

"I felt we controlled it for good periods without having the cutting edge we'd hope for.

"It looked like it was going to be a one goal game and whoever got it would go on and win it but unfortunatly it wasn't to be."

New signing John Potter made his debut at centre back for the Doonhamers since joining the club on loan from Dunfermline.

The Honest Men had the first real chance of the game but substitute Mark Roberts dragged his low right-footed shot across the face of goal.

Ayr midfielder Roberts had started on the bench but replaced Sean Higgins who had to leave the field with a suspected broken foot.

Queens finished the first half the stronger and Gavin Reilly had the chance to put the visitors ahead after being played in by Sam Parkin.

The home defence were busy claiming for the offside call but the flag stayed down and the youngster made his way into the box but had his shot blocked by Kevin Cuthbert.

The nerves evaporated after the break and both sides served up a decent game of football.

Ayr almost took the lead within a minute of the restart through on-loan Blackpool midfielder Adam Dodd.

Keigan Parker's cross was missed by Roberts and fell nicely for Dodd and his shot looked destined to hit the back of the net but was cleared off the line by Chris Higgins.

Veteran midfielder Allan Johnston was showing his worth in the middle of the park and almost scored in sublime fashion.

Johnston drove forward with the ball and tried his luck with an audacious chip from 30 yards but Ayr keeper Kevin Cuthbert somehow managed to tip the ball onto the crossbar.

While disappointed after the match, Palmerston gaffer MacPherson was quick to praise both Johnston and Cuthbert for two pieces of real quality.

He said: "It was a fantastic chip, especially when you're running with the ball.

"Normally we're shouting for the player to pass but Allan is probably the only player on the park capable of attempting that.

"I think you've got to give Kevin Cuthbert credit because

"I think you've got to give Kevin Cuthbert credit because he's got a touch to help it onto the bar and it would've taken him by surprise, it's the last thing he'd be expecting.

"We've seen it in training, the first time we saw it everybody on the training pitch stopped and applauded.

"It took everyone by surprise it was like watching it in slow motion when it happened.

"We know he's capable of it so I'd certainly give Cuthbert the credit for the save."

The Doonhamers were pressing and eventually made the breakthrough in the 75th minute.

Substitute Nicky Clark's corner was floated in and as it dropped at the back Stephen Simmons turned it back into the danger area and as former Ayr player McLaughlin's first chance was blocked, he blasted in the rebound from close range with his second attempt.

Ayr quickly piled the pressure on and the visitors were holding out well until a slick piece of skill from Roberts picked out Moffat for the equaliser.

Queens were sitting deep and paid the penalty when Roberts chipped pass found Moffat and the striker, who had been on the park all of six minutes, volleyed the ball past Robinson.

Ayr had one last throw at the dice in the closing seconds with a hopeful cross but couldn't threaten the Queens goal before the referee's whistle ended the game.